Materials Engineering

Elizabeth Horne's Dream Job

Elizabeth tests products that are used in kitchens every day. She makes sure that Pyrex Bakeware, Corelle dishes, Corningware, and other brands are safe and reliable.

Why her work matters
“So many consumers buy and use our products every day, and they rely on the quality and good reputation of our brands. It’s rewarding to see a product on the market and know that I made a positive contribution by helping to keep our products safe.”

Where she works
Elizabeth works at World Kitchen in Chicago, Illinois.

Education
B.S. in material science & engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Engineering Management at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.

Thomas the Tank engineerAt her previous job with toy company Learning Curve, Elizabeth helped engineer a variety of Thomas the Tank Engine models. “It was really enjoyable to collaborate with the toy designer and figure out if our design was something cost effective that we could actually produce.”

Nabisco
She also worked at Nabisco, monitoring the quality of their products. “The calculations that I made at Nabisco played an important role in preventing contamination in baked goods.”

Why materials engineering“I became interested in materials engineering because I wanted an opportunity to work with different types of plastic materials. I love the idea of discovering new material applications that can ‘wow’ consumers. I want them to say, ‘I can’t believe it’s plastic!’”

Expressing herself
Elizabeth is passionate about screenwriting and filmmaking.

Advice
“Determination and focus are the keys to succeeding in engineering, and having hobbies, being athletic, and making new friends will help get you through any rough spots or stressful times. Always try to turn negatives into positives, and learn from your experiences.”

Major funding for Engineer Your Life provided by The National Science Foundation and Northrop Grumman Foundation. Additional funding provided by Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr and the United Engineering Foundation (ASCE, ASME, AIChE, IEEE, AIME).